Paint roller preserver

ABSTRACT

A paint roller preserver for preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator is disclosed. An upper portion and a lower portion are hingedly connected and both have a rounded interior surface, which couple together to form a cavity for housing a standard roller cover. When the device is closed, there is minimal air space between the cavity and the roller cover. Optionally, a plug is used to maintain minimal air space when storing roller covers of a lesser length than a standard roller cover. There is a closing mechanism on a front side of the upper portion and lower portion to releasably couple the two portions releasably couple the upper and lower portions together with ease. A reservoir groove extends along a length of a bottom side of the lower portion that is adapted to collect residue from the roller cover. An aperture in the housing is adapted to receive a shaft of a roller applicator. Optionally, the paint roller preserver has a flattened exterior surface on the upper portion for labeling. Additionally, there is disclosed a method of preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a paint roller preserver, and more specifically to a paint roller preserver for storing a roller cover installed on a roller applicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various paint roller storage devices or roller preservers are known and utilized for numerous purposes. However, these devices have numerous flaws. The devices either allow an excessive amount of air in the device, do not allow for drainage of materials off the roller cover, do not securely close, do not fit roller covers of a lesser length, are easily overturned, or are messy and cumbersome.

[0003] Some conventional paint roller storage devices require a roller applicator of the paint roller to be stored with the handle in the vertical position and therefore are easily overturned or are cumbersome to use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,617, issued to Couch et al., discloses a cylindrical container for a paint roller which has a friction fit lid with a foam bottom for forming a seal with the roller cover such that the roller is stored in a vertical position. The device is easily tipped over and is difficult to use because the user needs two hands to open and close the lid, leaving no hands free to handle the painting implement. U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,363, issued to Wilson, discloses a container for temporarily holding and storing a wet paintbrush. The container is a box having two rectangular members which close in a clam-like fashion around the brush's handle. Foam catches and collects paint drippings from the paintbrush. To store a paintbrush applicator in a vertical position, the user must set the roller down, use two hands to open the container, place the roller in the container, then with two hands hold the roller and close the unit. This procedure is very awkward and cumbersome and frequently causes the process to be very messy. A device which allows the applicator to be stored in a horizontal position would render the storing process much more clean and effortless.

[0004] Other conventional roller keepers allow a roller cover to be stored in a horizontal position, but allow an excessive amount of air in the device, do not allow for drainage of materials off the roller cover, and do not securely close. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,950, issued to Zar et al., discloses a storage device for a roller cover. The device allows the roller to be stored in a horizontal position, however, the device does not have a means for allowing materials to drain off the roller. Therefore, over time, the paint or other material will gradually flow off the roller cover and dry at the bottom of the base of the device. Before too long, the buildup of materials will be so great that the device may no longer shut. Alternatively, the buildup of material will certainly be in contact with the roller applicator. In a short time, the user will be forced to clean his or her roller before using the roller again or the storage device will become too messy to use again. Furthermore, the device is difficult and cumbersome to use without uncontrollably splattering paint. The user needs two hands to pry the device open, which is difficult when at least one hand of the user is holding the roller. Also, the device has a friction-fit closure between an upper member and a lower member which necessitates a substantial amount of starting force in order to open. Often the user cannot determine how much force is necessary to open the device and the user will accidentally use too much force resulting in the splatter of loose paint in the open air. Two free hands are required to open such a device. Flimsy material on the device makes it difficult to clean for further use.

[0005] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,576, issued to Kern, discloses a roller storing unit wherein the a roller cover can be wrapped in foil then stored in the airtight roller cover storage container. The device does not, however, have any means of allowing materials to drain off a roller and is messy and cumbersome to use because one must wrap the roller in foil in order to reuse the roller.

[0006] Other conventional roller storage devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,298, issued to Jolly, have too large of a storage volume for the storage of a roller cover. Jolly discloses a combination carrying and storage case. The roller cover storage compartment is a hollow plastic or metal shell which gradually tapers at the top to form a horizontal section for housing the handle of a roller applicator. There is a pivotal closure member on the horizontal portion that closes by means of a latch. The device then has a T-shaped handle-leg extending from the bottom of the horizontal compartment for carrying or resting on a planar surface. The large amount of air space makes even short time unreasonable because the roller applicator will dry out very quickly. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,379 issued to Kern, discloses a roller tray with a hinged cover. The device is a standard roller tray with a hinged cover that releasably closes. The device is rectangular-shaped and contains a painter roller tray within. Once used, a roller cover can be stored by retaining clips on the underside of the top cover. Therefore, there is a great deal of air space and long storage is not possible. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,274, issued to Long et al., discloses a holder-container for a paint roller that requires the roller applicator to be stored with the handle in a vertical position. This device has a significant amount of dead space since it is rectangular-shaped and the roller is cylindrical. A roller stored in this device will quickly dry out rendering even short term storage of a roller unreasonable. Additionally, when a roller of a smaller size is stored in the device, the roller is disposed on two post supports. The amount of dead air space is not minimized by the use of the posts.

[0007] Other conventional roller storage devices are not adapted to house a roller cover. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,408, issued to Testa, discloses a paint brush storage device that may be held in any orientation. The storage unit has a rectangular bottom for housing a paintbrush handle then the unit tapers outward to house the bristle portion. The device is not adapted to house a roller applicator, nor does it allow for draining of materials from the paint brush.

[0008] It would be desirable to provide a roller keeper which is easy to use, which securely closes and does not easily overturn, which stores paint rollers of various sizes with minimal air space, and which allows drainage of materials off the roller cover.

SUMMARY

[0009] In view of the insufficiencies discussed above, it is an object of the present to provide a roller keeper which is easy to use, which securely closes and does not easily overturn, which stores paint rollers of various sizes with minimal air space, and which allows drainage of materials off the roller cover. It is a further object of the present invention to provide for various additional features and functions as described herein.

[0010] The roller keeper has a housing divided into an upper portion and a lower portion connected via a hinge on the back side of the upper portion and lower portion. The upper portion and lower portion both have a rounded interior surface, which collectively form a cavity for housing a standard roller cover when the device is closed. Optionally, a plug is utilized to store a roller with a lesser length than a standard roller while maintaining minimal air space between the roller and the device.

[0011] The bottom side of the lower portion has a flat bottom exterior surface such that the device is not easily tipped over. There is a closing mechanism on the front side of the upper portion and lower portion to releasably couple the upper portion to the lower portion. The closing mechanism preferably has a latch on either a front side of the upper portion or on a front side of the lower portion. The latch is releasably securable to the other of the upper portion or the lower portion. Upon releasing the two portions, the front end of one portion and the front end of the other portion can be separated via pivoting about the hinge without substantial starting friction. Therefore, the device is unlikely to splatter paint when re-opening the device.

[0012] There is a reservoir groove extending along at least a portion of a length of a bottom side of the lower portion. The groove is adapted to collect residue from the roller cover during storage. There is an aperture in the housing adapted to receive a shaft of a roller applicator. Optionally, there is a sealing member seated in the aperture adapted to form a seal around the shaft of the paint roller preserver. Optionally, the paint roller preserver has a flattened exterior surface area on the upper portion for labeling the device.

[0013] Additionally, there is disclosed a method of preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a flattened exterior surface for labeling.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a roller disposed within the cavity of the storage device.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a roller and a plug disposed within the cavity of the device.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a roller disposed within the cavity of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0020] A paint roller preserver for preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator is disclosed. The paint roller preserver 10 is constructed of a housing 15 which has an upper portion 20 and a lower portion 30. Preferably, the bottom of the lower portion 30 has a flattened exterior surface area so that the device 10 is not likely to be overturned when a roller cover is housed within the device 10. The device 10 is also preferably constructed of molded plastic or any other suitable material.

[0021] Preferably, the upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 are connected via a hinge 40 that is disposed on a back portion of the housing 15. Preferably, the hinge extends substantially along a length of an intersection between the upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 and is preferably integrally molded with the device. A first portion of the hinge 40 is connected to the lower portion 30 and a second portion of the hinge 40 is connected to the upper portion 20. Any other suitable means of connecting the upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 and allowing the upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 to be drawn together and spread apart is optionally used. The hinge 40 allows the device 10 to be quickly and easily used because the user can easily open and close the device with one hand while maneuvering a roller applicator in the other hand without worry of paint splatter or tipping of the device.

[0022] The upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 have a rounded interior surface 50, preferably substantially cylindrical in shape. The wall thickness of the portions 20 and 30 is thick enough such that they are rigid to allow it to endure over time and to be easily cleaned. For example, the minimum or average thickness of the walls might be 50-70 thousandths of an inch. Preferably, no sharp edges are present.

[0023] When the device 10 is closed, the upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 couple together to form a cavity 60 which houses a roller cover 70 installed on a roller applicator 80. The cavity 60 leaves minimal air space between the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30 and a roller cover 70 when the device 10 is in a closed position, and preferably conforms to the size and shape of a standard roller. A standard roller cover 70 is a 1¼″ to 1½″ roller, or 1″, ½″, or ¼″ roller. Optionally, there is a plug 90 that is adapted to conform to the size of the cavity 60 and is sized such that a roller cover 70 of a lesser length may also be stored in the device 10 with minimal air space between the cavity 60 and the roller cover 70 and plug 90 when the device is closed.

[0024] There is a closing mechanism 100 on the front side of the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30 to releasably couple a front end of the lower portion and the upper portion. Preferably, the closing mechanism 100 has a latch 110 on either a front side of the upper portion 20 or on a front side of the lower portion 30. The latch 110 is releasably securable to the other of the upper portion 20 or lower portion 30. Upon release, the front end of one portion and the front end of the other portion can be separated via pivoting about the hinge 40 without substantial starting friction. The user may therefore freely open and close the paint roller preserver without worry of using too much force to open the preserver and splattering paint. In another embodiment, the latch 110 is integrally molded on the upper portion 20 and is detachably connected to a receiving tab 120 on the lower portion 30 on the front side of the lower portion 30. Optionally, the closing mechanism is any other means of securely joining the upper portion 20 and lower portion 30.

[0025] In its preferred embodiment, there is a reservoir groove 130 extending along a length of a bottom side of the lower portion 30. The groove 130 is adapted to collect residue from a roller cover such dripping paint or other material does not build up and impair the closing of the device 10 or mix with the paint or other material already on a roller. Preferably, there is an aperture 130 in the housing adapted to receive a shaft of a roller applicator 150. Optionally, there is a sealing member 140, such as an O-ring 140, seated in the aperture. The sealing member 140 is designed to form a seal around the shaft of the roller applicator 150. Optionally, the device 10 has a flattened exterior surface 160 for labeling the device 10. The flattened exterior surface 160 may be located on an upper portion 30, a side of the device 10 or on a bottom side of the lower portion 30.

[0026] The present invention further encompasses, within its scope, a method for manufacturing a roller cover as described above.

[0027] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A paint roller preserver for preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator comprising: a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and lower portion forming a cavity adapted to house a roller cover installed on a roller applicator, a hinge on a back portion of said housing hingedly connecting the lower portion to the upper portion, a closing mechanism on a front side of said housing to releasably couple a front end of the lower portion and the upper portion, a reservoir groove extending along at least a length of a bottom side of the lower portion adapted to collect residue from the roller cover, and an aperture in said housing adapted to receive a shaft of the roller applicator.
 2. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, further comprising a plug adapted to conform to the shape of a portion of the size of the cavity and sized such that a roller of a lesser length can be disposed in said housing with minimal movement.
 3. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, wherein said cavity is sized and shaped to substantially conform to a size and a shape of a standard roller cover.
 4. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing member disposed within said aperture adapted to form a seal around the shaft of the roller applicator.
 5. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, further comprising a flattened exterior surface area for labeling the paint roller preserver.
 6. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, wherein said hinge extends substantially along a length of the paint roller preserver.
 7. The roller cover according to claim 1, wherein the closing mechanism comprises at least one latch fixedly attached to one of the upper portion or lower portion and releasably securable to the other of the upper portion or the lower portion, and wherein upon release, the front ends of the upper portion and the lower portion can be manually separated via pivoting about the hinge without substantial starting friction.
 8. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, wherein said closing mechanism comprises an integrally molded latch on the one of the upper portion or the lower portion and detachably connected to a receiving tab on the other of the upper portion or lower portion on the front side of said housing.
 9. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, wherein the roller preserver further comprises a flat bottom exterior surface.
 10. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, wherein said hinge is an integrally molded element with the upper portion and the lower portion.
 11. A paint roller preserver for preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator comprising: a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and lower portion forming a cavity adapted to house a roller cover installed on a roller applicator, a hinge on a back portion of the housing hingedly connecting the lower portion to the upper portion, a closing mechanism on the front side of said housing to securely join the upper portion and the lower portion, an aperture in the housing adapted to receive a shaft of a roller applicator, and a plug adapted to conform to the size of the cavity and sized such that a roller cover of a lesser length is disposed in said housing with minimal movement.
 12. The paint roller preserver according to claim 11, further comprising a reservoir groove extending along a length of a bottom side of the lower portion adapted to collect residue from the roller cover.
 13. A method of preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator comprising: providing a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and lower portion forming a cavity adapted to house a roller cover installed on a roller applicator, hingedly connecting the lower portion to the upper portion on a back side of the roller keeper, releasably coupling the upper portion and the lower portion via a closing mechanism on a front end of the upper portion and lower portion, providing a reservoir groove extending at least a length of a bottom side of the lower portion adapted to collect residue from the roller cover, and providing an aperture in the housing adapted to receive a shaft of a roller applicator.
 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising providing a plug adapted to conform to the size of the cavity and sized such that a roller cover of a lesser length is disposed in said housing with minimal movement.
 15. The method according to claim 13 further providing a sealing member disposed within said aperture.
 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein said cavity is sized and shaped to substantially conform to a size and a shape of a standard roller cover.
 17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising providing a flattened exterior surface for labeling the paint roller preserver.
 18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising hingedly connecting the upper portion and lower portion substantially along a length of the paint roller preserver.
 19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the closing mechanism further comprises at least one latch fixedly attached to one of the upper portion or lower portion and releasably securable to the other of the upper portion or the lower portion, and wherein upon release, the front ends of the upper portion and the lower portion can be manually separated via pivoting about the hinge without substantial starting friction.
 20. The method according to claim 13, further comprising securely joining the upper portion and the lower portion via an integrally molded latch on the upper portion detachably connected to a receiving tab on the lower portion on the front side of said housing.
 21. The method according to claim 13, further comprising providing the paint roller preserver with a flat bottom exterior surface.
 22. A method of preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator comprising: providing a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and lower portion forming a cavity adapted to house a roller cover installed on a roller applicator, hingedly connecting the lower portion to the upper portion on a back side of the roller keeper, releasably coupling the upper portion and the lower portion via a closing mechanism on a front end of the upper portion and lower portion, providing an aperture in the housing adapted to receive a shaft of a roller applicator, and providing a plug adapted to conform to the size of the cavity and sized such that a roller cover of a smaller size rests in said housing with minimal space to move.
 23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising providing a reservoir groove extending at least a length of a bottom side of the lower portion adapted to collect residue from the roller cover.
 24. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises walls which are substantially rigid.
 25. The paint roller preserver according to claim 1, wherein the aperture substantially forms a seal around said shaft. 